Martin Compston, best known for his role in Line of Duty, has urged Scots to back the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the upcoming Holyrood election to prevent Nigel Farage from bringing his "toxic politics" to Scotland. The actor accused Scottish Labour of being willing to form a pact with Reform UK after the election.
Compston Backs Swinney
Compston has thrown his support behind First Minister John Swinney and called on voters to "unite behind" the SNP. The actor and Swinney are set to campaign together in Inverclyde on Friday, a constituency that is home to both Compston and Lord Malcolm Offord, the leader of Reform UK Scotland.
Speaking before the visit, Compston claimed that Nigel Farage aims to reduce Scotland's budget and diminish its Parliament, and would privatise the NHS "if he got half the chance." The actor, a vocal pro-independence supporter, accused Labour of wanting to collaborate with Reform after the election.
Compston stated: "Nigel Farage isn't interested in Scotland – he wants to cut our budget, shrink our Parliament and would privatise our NHS if he got half the chance. We should have none of it. And the fact that Labour are willing to work with him shows just how far they have fallen. On May 7th, the way to keep Farage's toxic politics out of Scotland is for people to unite behind the SNP – and the way to lock Farage out of Scotland for good is by becoming an independent country."
Labour Denies Allegations
Lord Offord and other senior Reform UK Scotland figures have accused Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar of approaching them and offering a deal to remove the SNP after the election. Labour has denied these claims, accusing Lord Offord of lying.
John Swinney, who will visit Greenock Morton Football Club, emphasised that the SNP offers an alternative to Reform, which is currently vying with Scottish Labour for second place in the polls. Swinney said: "I am absolutely clear – I will have nothing to do with Nigel Farage, his man in Scotland Lord Offord or Reform UK. Their politics are dangerous and the very idea that they could have power and influence in Parliament after the election will be really concerning to people across the country. We know what Reform would mean for Scotland and the fact that Labour are willing to work with them after the election shows just how desperate they have become. That is why we need an SNP majority at this election which will unlock the fresh start of independence and lock Nigel Farage out of power in Scotland. And I am asking people to unite behind the SNP for a government under my experienced, reliable leadership that is always on Scotland's side."
Scottish Labour Responds
Scottish Labour expressed disappointment in Compston, with a spokesperson stating: "The fact that the SNP are peddling the lies of Reform demonstrates just how far they have fallen. While he has made a career out of reading other people's lines, it is certainly disappointing to see Martin Compston parroting the SNP's absolute nonsense. Perhaps if he takes a closer look at their dismal campaign of misinformation and smears, he will see how utterly desperate they have become and distance himself from the SNP."
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie criticised Swinney for being "dishonest" in claiming he would have nothing to do with Reform, pointing out that the SNP has funded an advert promoting Lord Offord's lies about Anas Sarwar. Baillie said: "Reform launched racist attack ads against Anas Sarwar during the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, and have signalled they would be prepared to use them again. This is not a serious or credible party. Scottish Labour has been absolutely clear that there will be no pacts, no deals, and no coalitions – we are going flat out to win this election because Scotland needs change. John Swinney and the SNP should look themselves in the mirror and consider whether their desperate attempts to join forces with Reform to try and smear Anas Sarwar is morally the right thing to do."
Reform UK Scotland has been approached for comment.
